The Edge of Darkness - NASA
Summary: A high-resolution view of the Moon's surface at the terminator, captured by the Artemis II crew.
This image, titled 'The Edge of Darkness' and captured on April 6, 2026, by the Artemis II crew, provides a detailed view of the lunar surface along the terminator—the boundary between day and night. The photograph highlights the rugged, cratered terrain where rims appear as 'islands' in the darkness. Notably, it displays giant crater chains originating from the 3.7-billion-year-old Orientale basin that cross the relatively flat Hertzsprung Basin. This geological evidence suggests that the Hertzsprung Basin predates the Orientale impact event.
Document outline
1. Image Overview: The Edge of Darkness 2. Mission Context: Artemis II 3. Geological Features 4. The Terminator Boundary 5. Hertzsprung Basin and Orientale Impact Event
